Sophia Webster Autumn/Winter 2016

all photos from vogue.co.uk

I should be studying now but I couldn't resist posting about Sophia Webster's Autumn/Winter 2016 presentation at London fashion week. The presentation is a collaboration between shoe-queen Sophia Webster and queen of everything else Edward Meadham. I didn't expect to see Edward Meadham grace my instagram feed this morning because of the closure of Meadham Kirchhoff six months ago so I was very pleasantly surprised to see such an amazing collaboration. In an interview with AnOther magazine, Edward Meadham reveals that Sophia's inspiration for the collection drew from Lydia Deetz from the film Beetlejuice (played by Winona Ryder) and Miss Havisham from Dicken's Great Expectations. 

Although Sophia's collection has taken a gothic turn, her playful feminine style remains in the butterfly adorned stilettos, crystal encrusted clutches and crushed velvet bows. Meadham translates Sophia's gothic femininity into clothing by creating delicate lace veils, flower crowns and satin mini dresses. Meadham's signature use of tulle gives a personal mark to the collaboration. The influence of Lydia Deetz can be seen in the veiled headpieces, the thigh high lace up heels, and the beaded clutch bag that reads "I myself am strange and unusual". The statement bags which make unapologetic jokes like "bored to death" and "drop dead gorgeous" inject a touch of black humour into the collection.

The drama of the presentation is partly due to the setting at Soho's House of Saint Barnabus. The collection is presented to the backdrop of beautiful stained windows lit with purple mood lighting. Some of the shoes and bags are presented on boxes of dead flowers and dried butterflies which give the presentation a Dicken-esque feel. The gothic drama leads to the presentation of the wedding dress inspired by Miss Havisham. The dress is made from reems of lace which form a trail at the back and cling to the chapel's wall at the front. Part of the lace dress is cut out, frayed and torn to resemble decay. Webster's intricate white lace heels are visible under the frayed lace. The model also holds a tongue in cheek clutch bag which reads "wifey for lifey". I love the drama, fun and gothic romance of this collection... plus the shoes are to die for!